# NTSB DEN83LA007: Hiller UH-12C, N5316V, Blanding, UT, October 12, 1982

- Type: NTSB accident investigation
- Classification: Accident · No injuries · Limited investigation · Final report
- Date: October 12, 1982, 11:30 local (17:30 UTC)
- Place: Blanding, UT
- Location: 37.5833° N, 109.4833° W: Placed by OpenAirDocs at BLANDING MUNI (BDG), within about a mile (OpenAirDocs)
- Nearby events: https://openairdocs.org/map.md?lat=37.5833&lon=-109.4833&mi=10
- Phase of flight: [Maneuvering](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb-phases/450) (OpenAirDocs' grouping)
- Highest injury: No injuries
- Injuries: 1 uninjured
- Status: Completed, report October 12, 1983
- Report: Approved by Office Director
- NTSB case key (mKey): 69978
- NTSB case page: https://web.ntsb.gov/investigations/?ntsbnumber=DEN83LA007
- NTSB report (PDF, downloads): https://data.ntsb.gov/carol-repgen/api/Aviation/ReportMain/GenerateNewestReport/69978/pdf
- Page: https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN83LA007

## Sequence of events

In NTSB's coding before 2008 (https://www.ntsb.gov/GILS/Documents/codman.pdf).

- Loss of engine power(total) - mech failure/malf, hover
  - fluid,fuel - contamination (cause)
  - maintenance,service of aircraft/equipment - improper, pilot in command (cause)
  - fuel system,carburetor - blocked(total) (cause)
- Forced landing, landing - flare/touchdown
  - autorotation - performed, pilot in command
- Hard landing, landing - flare/touchdown

## Analysis

THE PRIVATE SINGLE-ENGINE PILOT HAD A STUDENT HELICOPTER CERTIFICATE. HE TOOK OFF TO HOVER AND CHECK THAT THE HELICOPTER WAS IN GOOD CONDITION. HE STATED THAT BEFORE TAKEOFF, THE HELICOPTER WAS FUELED WITH A 5 GALLON CAN THAT HAD BEEN PAINTED RED. BEFORE REFUELING, HE RINSED THE CAN AND THEN USED A SPOUT STRAINER TO ADD ABOUT 10 GALLONS OF FUEL. AFTER WARMING THE ENGINE AND TAKING OFF, THE HELICOPTER FLEW ABOUT 50 SECONDS AND THEN THE ENGINE COUGHED AND LOST POWER. AN AUTOROTATION WAS INITIATED FROM ABOUT 50 FT AND 35 MPH. SUBSEQUENTLY, THE HELICOPTER LANDED HARD, THE ROTOR BLADES FLEXED DOWNWARD AND SEVERED THE TAIL BOOM, A FUEL TANK RUPTURED AND THE HELICOPTER BURNED. DISASSEMBLY OF THE CARBURETOR REVEALED THAT THE MAIN JET WAS BLOCKED. PARTICLES OF RED PAINT (THAT MATCHED THE PAINT ON THE FUEL CAN) WERE FOUND NEAR THE BLOCKAGE. ALSO, THE HELICOPTER HAD LITTLE OR NO USE IN RECENT YEARS. REPORTEDLY, RESIDUAL GUM MAY HAVE ACCUMULATED DURING THE YEARS AND/OR THE FUEL MAY HAVE GUMMED THE RED PAINT.

## Aircraft

- Registration: [N5316V](https://openairdocs.org/deregistered/N5316V-2020-02-03), registration cancelled 2020-02-03, S/N 762, built 1956 (OpenAirDocs)
- Reported make and model: HILLER UH-12C
- Registry model: [Hiller UH-12C](https://openairdocs.org/model/hiller-uh-12c) (registry code 4360116) (OpenAirDocs)
- Registry engine: [Franklin 6V4 series](https://openairdocs.org/engine/franklin-6v4-series) (registry code 27033, reciprocating) (OpenAirDocs)
- Category: Helicopter
- Serial number: 762
- Airframe hours: 1392
- Engines: FRANKLIN 6VS-335-A 210 horsepower reciprocating
- Damage: Destroyed
- Fire: On-Ground
- Flight: Instructional, Part 91
- Operator: Kenneth J. Davis
- Registered owner: Kenneth J. Davis
- Departed: BDG, BLANDING, UT
- Destination: BDG, BLANDING, UT
- Airport: BDG, Blanding City Municipal

## Flight crew

As NTSB recorded them. NTSB leaves out names.

- Pilot; age 33; private, student; airplane ratings: single-engine land; medical: class 3, valid medical--no waivers/lim.; flight hours: 376 total, 14 in this make and model, 302 as pilot in command, 30 in the last 90 days

## Weather

- Conditions: Visual (VMC), Day
- Wind: 340° at 14 knots
- Visibility: 50 statute miles
- Temperature: 131 °F

## FAA reports on this event (1)

The FAA's own accident and incident reports, matched to the aircraft by N-number and date (OpenAirDocs).

- [Accident 19821012052159A](https://openairdocs.org/incident/19821012052159A), Oct 12, 1982: Hiller UH12C, Blanding, UT, Destroyed. Engine quit during hovering at 50 feet altitude. Insufficient altitude for autorotation.

## Other investigations on N5316V (2)

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

- [NTSB DEN76FTE32](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/DEN76FTE32), Oct 19, 1975: Hiller Acft UH-12C (N5316V), Nucla, CO, substantial damage
- [NTSB SEA67A0042](https://openairdocs.org/ntsb/SEA67A0042), Dec 12, 1966: Hiller UH-12C (N5316V), Rosalia, WA, substantial damage

From the NTSB's public API. Aircraft are matched to registry aircraft by N-number and event date, checked against the reported serial number, make and model; the registry's history has gaps, so older matches can be wrong. Compare the reported make and model.

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